The NFL playoffs could take on a new structure this year if the Detroit Lions’ latest proposal gains approval. NFL owners are set to vote this week on the Lions’ suggested change to postseason seeding. Under the revised plan, division winners would no longer be guaranteed a home game in the first round. Instead, playoff seeding would be determined entirely by regular-season records.
The Detroit Lions’ playoff seeding proposal is set to be reviewed at the spring NFL owners meeting in Minneapolis. The plan seeks to overhaul the current structure by removing automatic top-four seeds for division winners. Instead, all seven playoff teams in each conference would be seeded solely based on regular-season records.
While division champions would still qualify for the postseason, they would no longer be guaranteed higher seeds or home-field advantage. This change could allow stronger wild-card teams to earn higher seeds than division winners, a shift from the league’s long-standing format.
Many see the proposal as a step toward a more modern and fair playoff format. The NFL views it as a way to reward teams that perform consistently well throughout the regular season, while also raising the stakes in the playoff race as the year progresses.
A rule change that would impact the landscape of the NFL
The proposal would have directly impacted last season’s playoffs. Despite finishing with 14 wins, the Minnesota Vikings entered as a wild card team and were forced to play on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Under the proposed format, their stronger record would have earned them a higher seed and a home game.
The proposal has stirred considerable discussion throughout the football world. Advocates say it brings greater equity by prioritizing teams with stronger season-long performances and increases the stakes for games down the stretch. Opponents, however, contend that it reduces the value of division championships, which have traditionally ensured home-field advantage. Teams from smaller markets, which often rely heavily on divisional matchups to secure playoff spots, might be the ones most affected by this potential shift.
We’ll soon find out whether NFL owners are ready to move away from the long-standing tradition of rewarding division winners, especially since most tiebreakers still prioritize division standings. With the vote expected this week, the league stands at a pivotal crossroads. If approved, this rule change would mark one of the most significant overhauls to the NFL’s playoff structure in recent memory.
